Chapter 87 Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens with the classroom in total chaos as students clean out their desks and bombard Mrs. Turner with questions about how online school will work. Simone asks how long the closure will last, and Mrs. Turner admits it's hard to tell. She has prepared a packet of assignments and worksheets to last two weeks, and if the closure extends, they'll figure it out together. She stresses that the most important thing is that students keep reading.

Jonathan raises a concern: the library has closed too, so what if students have no books at home? Mrs. Turner puts her hand over her heart and promises that if anyone messages her, she will bring books to their house and leave them on the porch. The narrator feels a lump in her throat, reflecting that no teacher in her entire education in Hong Kong—or during COVID-19—has ever offered to bring a book to her home. She realizes how much she will miss Mrs. Turner.

As the class scribbles down their addresses for Mrs. Turner, Alan timidly asks about school lunch. Mrs. Turner reminds them that free lunches will continue at Del Rey High School; all they have to do is drive over and pick them up. Alan exhales in relief.

Then the narrator raises her hand and asks a question that shifts the mood: “Who’s going to tell you every day that you’re making a difference in our lives?” The class falls silent. Jonathan adds that he likes reading now because of her. Kimmy says she’s getting better at math because Mrs. Turner makes it fun. Christopher says he’s just as capable, but learns a little differently. The narrator stands up and says “Me too,” and one by one, Tommy, Simone, and even Tyler echo the sentiment. Tyler adds, “Thanks for making learning fun.”

Tears stream down Mrs. Turner’s cheeks as she promises each student that she’ll meet them online and they’ll carry on just as if they were still in the classroom. The students nod bravely, even though they all know that online school can never give them the joy of a teacher telling them to their face that she thinks they have potential—and Mrs. Turner was certainly good at that.

Key Events

Students clean out their desks and ask Mrs. Turner about online school.
Mrs. Turner provides a two-week packet of assignments and emphasizes the importance of reading.
She offers to deliver books to students’ homes when the library closes.
Students write down their addresses for book delivery.
Alan asks about school lunch; Mrs. Turner confirms free lunches will continue at Del Rey High School.
The narrator asks who will tell Mrs. Turner she makes a difference.
Classmates share specific ways Mrs. Turner has helped them.
The entire class echoes “Me too,” including Tyler.
Mrs. Turner cries and promises to meet them online.
The students acknowledge that online school can’t replace in-person encouragement.

Character Development

Mrs. Turner shows remarkable dedication by preparing assignments, offering to deliver books, and reassuring students about lunch. Her emotional reaction to the students’ gratitude reveals how much she values her role and their growth.
The narrator demonstrates initiative and empathy by asking the question that sparks the class’s outpouring of thanks. Her reflection on her Hong Kong education highlights how much Mrs. Turner’s care means to her.
Jonathan, Kimmy, and Christopher each articulate specific ways Mrs. Turner has impacted them—reading, math, and learning differences—showing that her teaching reaches each student individually.
Tyler, who often seems distant, joins the chorus with a simple “Me too” and thanks for making learning fun, suggesting a shift toward greater openness and appreciation.
The class as a whole transforms from a chaotic group asking practical questions into a unified community expressing collective gratitude, underscoring their emotional bond with their teacher.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Teacher dedication: Mrs. Turner’s willingness to deliver books and continue free lunches shows her commitment beyond the classroom.
Community support: The free lunch program and Mrs. Turner’s promises illustrate how the school community rallies around students during uncertainty.
Loss of in-person connection: The narrator’s final reflection emphasizes that online school cannot replicate the face-to-face encouragement of a teacher who believes in you.
Importance of reading: Mrs. Turner’s insistence on reading as the most important thing, and her offer to bring books, highlights literacy as a lifeline.
Gratitude: The students’ collective “Me too” becomes a powerful motif of appreciation, turning a practical farewell into an emotional tribute.
Uncertainty: The chapter opens with questions about the length of closure and ends with brave nods, capturing the anxiety of an unknown future.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a pivotal emotional transition in the novel. It captures the moment when the reality of online school sets in, and it shows how a caring teacher can leave a lasting impact even as physical distance looms. Mrs. Turner’s promises—to deliver books, to continue lunch, to meet online—demonstrate her unwavering support, while the students’ spontaneous gratitude reveals the depth of their connection. The narrator’s reflection on her Hong Kong education underscores the significance of Mrs. Turner’s actions, making this farewell both personal and universal. The chapter also sets up the challenges of remote learning, foreshadowing the difficulties the characters will face while affirming the resilience they’ve built together.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Mrs. Turner emphasize reading so strongly in this chapter?

Mrs. Turner believes reading is the most important thing for her students, especially during a school closure. She has prepared assignments, but she goes further by offering to deliver books to students’ homes when the library closes, ensuring they have access to reading material even in isolation.

How do the students show gratitude to Mrs. Turner, and what effect does it have?

The students each share specific ways Mrs. Turner has helped them—Jonathan now likes reading, Kimmy is better at math, Christopher feels capable despite learning differently—and then they all echo “Me too.” This collective expression of thanks moves Mrs. Turner to tears and reinforces the bond between teacher and students.

What does the narrator realize about online school at the end of the chapter?

The narrator recognizes that online school can never replace the in-person joy of a teacher telling you to your face that she thinks you have potential. This realization highlights the irreplaceable value of direct human encouragement, even as they bravely accept the new reality.